MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Lando Norris let out a “Wooooo!” so loud it would make Ric Flair proud.
Norris won the Miami Grand Prix on Sunday – his first Formula 1 victory in 110 races. And the cheeky 24-year-old McLaren driver couldn’t wait to celebrate before flying back to England on Monday.
“I’m not going to sleep. I’m going to go until the end,” said Norris, smiling. “It’s nice to do this in Miami. I wish it was Silverstone (England).”
Max Verstappen, the three-time F1 world champion who amazingly finished second despite taking pole position and winning the sprint race on Saturday, was quick to speak out.
“Trust me, it’s better to go out here, mate,” Verstappen said with a smile about Miami after someone other than him won the second race of this F1 season.
Here are five things we learned after the 2024 Miami Grand Prix:
The joy of other F1 drivers about Norris is a welcome sight
It’s been 1,876 days since Norris’ F1 debut. He can no longer be bullied with the nickname “Lando No-Wins” and one can only imagine the relief he feels when he comes as close to victory as he did recently.
Norris finished second six times in 2023. He even took part in the Miami race after finishing second in China last weekend.
Although he himself did not achieve the best results, other F1 drivers sincerely praised Norris for his breakthrough.
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“This will always be one of the happiest days of his life. I’m happy to see that smile on his face,” Daniel Riccardo said of Norris.
“He’s talented. And obviously we all are here. But he’s been so close so many times. We all felt at some point that he’s the next rider in line who deserves a win… We know he belongs on the top step at some point and I’m glad he had his day.”
Verstappen added: “I’m very happy for Lando. This has been a long time coming. And it won’t be his last race. He definitely deserved it today.”
Norris’ victory in Miami fascinates not only the US fans, but the entire F1
Norris’ victory is great not only for aspiring Formula 1 fans in the US who are tired of Verstappen’s recent dominance, but for everyone in F1.
Spectators may have wondered whether Verstappen, who had 38 wins in 50 races before Sunday, would catch Norris.
Verstappen nearly managed a third consecutive win, both this weekend and after victories in the first two races in Miami at the Dolphins’ Hard Rock Stadium.
Instead, the race and its outcome provided suspense, excitement and Miami vibes, cementing Formula 1’s foray into the US with the first of three races this year.
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There are still two US races left: the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas (October 18-20) and the Las Vegas Grand Prix (November 21-23).
“I think everyone in the world wants to see a bit of variety (in the winners) and in that respect today is a great day for Formula 1,” said Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who won the Australian Grand Prix in late March.
Speaking of variety: Three US races are not the same at all
This is the second year that Formula 1 has held three races in the USA. But there is one common theme that some people find difficult to agree on: the differences that Miami, Austin and Vegas bring for Formula 1 and its fans from all over the world.
There is literally a night and day difference between racing in Las Vegas and Miami: In Vegas, racing starts at 10 p.m. PT on Saturday night like a pay-per-view battle to appeal to European fans, while being closer to Asia. Miami is the gateway to America with a Sunday afternoon race where clouds and sunshine light up the aquamarine blue of the Miami Dolphins on TV screens a day after the Kentucky Derby. And Austin is considered a traditional event for racing purists.
But seeing Formula 1 in person is proof of that.
“I’ve been involved in racing for a long time now, but I’ve never taken someone to a race on TV and turned them into a fan. I’ve never taken someone to an event without turning them into a fan,” said Tom Garfinkel, CEO of the Miami Dolphins and managing partner of the Miami Grand Prix.
“I think that often the people who come to an event like this don’t know much about racing. They come to see a great event. And then they learn more about it, fall in love with racing and start watching on TV. I think that’s all great for Formula 1. It’s the highest form of motorsport and to have three races in the US is fantastic.”
Sold-out stands at the races in Miami and place in the F1 calendar
Garfinkel announced that tickets for the Miami Grand Prix were sold out for the third year in a row, with at least 275,000 people in attendance over the Friday-Sunday race weekend.
The race has seven years left in its original 10-year contract, but Garfinkel said, “We’re going to be here for a long time. I expect we’ll still be here after the 10 years.”
Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton’s response to the question of whether last year’s race in Vegas “diminished” the excitement for Sunday’s race in Miami is further evidence of the appeal of US races on the F1 calendar.
“Lowered?” Hamilton replied. “No, I think the sport has gotten bigger here. It’s much more popular. Every town I go to, people love it. It’s a sport here in the States now. It used to be just a once-a-year event.”
“Now we’re part of the culture here, which is really cool. It’s incredible. I think we’re all super grateful that the U.S. has finally embraced this sport and has the love and passion for it that we all grew up with.”
How much did the F1 race increase the value of the Miami Dolphins?
USA TODAY reported that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross made a $10 billion offer for the team, Hard Rock Stadium and the Miami Grand Prix ahead of the third round. But the NFL team is not for sale.
Garfinkel, Ross’ right-hand man when it comes to the Dolphins and the F1 race, reiterated this statement on behalf of his owner and the value of the NFL team when asked about the report.
“I know for sure that the team is not for sale. The price for the controlling interest in the team could, in my opinion, be well over $10 billion and the team still would not sell,” Garfinkel said.
As the value of sports franchises around the world continues to reach new heights, the Dolphins have set themselves apart from the crowd with their F1 racing.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lando Norris’ victory at F1 Miami Grand Prix will boost Formula 1 in the U.S.
